PhD Studentship in Chemical Biology – Developing Novel Treatments for Fungal Pathogens

Award summary

100% home fees covered, a minimum tax-free annual living allowance of £20,780 (2025/26 UKRI rate) and a per annum budget of £6,000 for consumables and conference attendance etc.

Overview

Fungal pathogens are underappreciated and overlooked threats that can cause life-threatening diseases and major losses in food crops. Current antifungals (e.g. azoles) are non-species-specific inhibitors of fungal cell membrane biosynthesis and are used as both medicines and pesticides. Widespread use is driving resistance and increasing regulatory pressure.

Using the mRNA-display platform established in the McAllister lab, this project aims to develop de novo cyclic peptides (novel modality) to target virulence factors (novel target) in key crop pathogenic fungi. Expression of the protein target is already established and, following mRNA-display selection, high-throughput peptide synthesis will be used to prioritise hits using in vitro assays, biophysics (ITC, BLI, structural work) and established in planta fungal infection assays. Later focus could include sustainable synthesis scale up and potential progression towards field-relevant studies.

The McAllister lab is part of the chemical biology group at Newcastle University, a diverse team of ~15 PhD students and PDRAs. We have weekly group meetings for scientific updates, monthly discussions on wider topics such as EDI and mental health as well as regular social activities (including an optional weekly cake rota).

This project is suited to candidates with a background in chemical biology, biochemistry or molecular biology with experience of working with peptides, proteins (e.g. enzyme assays or recombinant expression/purification), or DNA/RNA. None are essential, as training will be provided, but candidates should demonstrate expertise in at least one area.